"Becoming a CEO isn’t just about skill - it’s about navigating the most complex political landscape in business."In the inaugural episode of Becoming CEO, Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey dive into the challenges of stepping into the CEO role. From fierce competition and corporate politics to navigating the fears of an outgoing CEO, they uncover the unseen battles that shape the journey to the top. They also explore how succession planning, leadership development, and cultural dynamics play a role in the transition process.Key TakeawaysThe CEO role is high-pressure and politically charged. The journey to CEO involves competition, internal power struggles, and external scrutiny from shareholders and the media.Succession planning is often a hidden process. Decisions are made behind closed doors, and navigating the existing CEO’s resistance can be just as critical as proving one’s capabilities.Cultural awareness is crucial for success. Whether dealing with national, corporate, or gender-based cultural differences, understanding the environment can make or break a leader’s ability to rise.Next Step: Consider your leadership strategy: How are you positioning yourself for growth while managing internal politics and external pressures?Uplevel Your CareerConnect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/.Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/.About Your HostsDr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC) is the President of Red Tree Consulting LLC and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences.MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.”MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela).Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz), Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors.Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries.

Ver todos los episodios